Staging family fun for 90 years

DOWNFIELD Musical Society is one of the longest-established groups in the area — and it has a very busy 2018 lined up!

Not only will it be bringing some fabulous and spectacular productions to Dundee’s Whitehall Theatre but it is also celebrating 90 years of providing funfilled entertainment for all the family.

The society was formed back in 1928 by the members of Downfield South Junior Choir, which staged its shows in the local village hall.

Three decades later, something arrived in Dundee that Tayside audiences were soon to discover would become one of the society’s specialities — pantomime!

Aladdin was the first panto presented in the YMCA in 1958 — and it remains a favourite to this day.

This year marks 60 years of fabulous Christmas panto fun and the society will present a spectacular and hilarious Dick Whittington at the Whitehall Theatre from December 14-21.

The society begins its busy year with Summer Holiday, being performed from May 16-19.

The well-known story tells of how a group of bus mechanics at the London Transport bus works fancy a spot of European sun.

During a miserably wet British summer lunch-break, the boys persuade London Transport to lend them a double-decker bus which is then driven across continental Europe.

The plan is to reach the south of France for their holiday.

However, they end up in the Greek capital Athens and along the way they are joined by a trio of young women and a runaway singer, who initially pretends to be male, pursued by her mother.

The show is filled with terrific swinging sixties classics from Cliff Richard and The Shadows, including Bachelor Boy, On the Beach, The Next Time and the title song, Summer Holiday.

Following Summer Holiday, the DMS Youth Society is back treading the boards in June with two Disney favourites — Alice in Wonderland Jr and The Little Mermaid Jr.

The first youth show was staged last year and it was such a success that the society is delighted to welcome the youngsters back to the Whitehall.

The future of Downfield Musical Society is in very safe hands with these talented young people.

In September, the society is taking a trip to Avenue Q.

The story tells of Princeton, a recent college graduate who is anxious to discover his purpose in life.

But first, he must find an apartment and a job, with no work experience and an English degree — think of it as Sesame Street for adults!

The show runs from September 26-29.

Yes, a busy year of shows that Downfield Musical Society is sure will be enjoyed by everyone!